Islamorada

Beaches in the Florida Keys aren’t as common as many expect, but there are some great beaches if you know where to go. We also include two new free parks with excellent swimming holes and amenities.

New and improved guide to the scenic Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys with points of interest, restaurants, campgrounds and lodging, kayaking and beaches with expanded descriptions, photos and highlights.

These weekend getaways are for people who want to explore new destinations where they can hike, bike, paddle and experience historic sites. We picked our favorites from years of exploring Florida.

If you want to savor the flavor of the Florida Keys, spend a little time at a tiki bar. Our favorites profiled here are unpretentious waterfront spots where you’ll get good fresh fish, fried everything and a big serving of Keys atmosphere.

If you’ve ever dreamed about exploring a deserted tropical island, here’s your chance: Take your kayak down to the Florida Keys and paddle out to Indian Key State Park to explore jungly ruins and snorkel a rocky shoreline.

The bike trail down the Florida Keys — the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail — is not complete, but here are four sections that offer scenic and safe rides.

The craft beer breweries in the Florida Keys are great places to experience Keys style and ambiance. The beer’s not bad, either.

One of our favorite stops on the drive down the Florida Keys  is Anne’s Beach in Islamorada. Located at mile marker 73.5, Anne’s Beach is a rare thing in the Florida Keys – a natural sandy beach. And it’s free.

Legendary diners, cafes and dives — our favorite roadside restaurants along the scenic Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys.

There are excellent reasons to stop in Islamorada on your Florida Keys trip. Kayak to Indian Key, feed the tarpon at Robbie’s Marina, visit two craft breweries, plus there’s a cluster of cultural attractions and a top-notch museum.

When it comes to social distancing outdoors, you can’t do much better than fishing. Back-country to off-shore reefs, from Florida’s beaches to the mighty bass of Lake O, my favorite fishing holes offer great escapes.

Once the site of a luxury resort for the rich and famous, Long Key State Park is a terrific place to spend a few hours hiking, beachcombing, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking in the Florida Keys. While most of its highly prized beachfront campsites are closed, a few tent sites are open.

Iconic diners, cafes and dives — landmark eateries on the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys.

Sure, the Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys is a scenic drive. But wouldn’t it be beautiful to take it really slowly and see everything? That’s what Tamara Scharf did. She walked from Key Largo to Key West, alone and in six days. Here’s her story, with tips on how you can walk the best sections she experienced.